ESG News from Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

Target and UNICEF Get Kids Active to Fight Hunger

Oct 26, 2015 11:15 AM ET

Wearables have been all the rage recently and many organizations have tapped into the technology, making it easier for consumers to link physical activity to a good cause. Organizations like Charity Miles and collaborations such as Bank of America's work with (RED) and Nike have led the way in the space, getting adults active and excited about making an impact on issues they care about. Now, a new partnership is leveraging technology to inspire children to help others and themselves through the first-ever "wearable for good."

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association Receives an Outstanding on its First-Ever Rating from Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for Community Reinvestment Initiatives

Oct 26, 2015 11:00 AM ET

Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, a national bank subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, has been recognized with the highest rating from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for its excellent record in meeting the needs of the communities it serves. The OCC evaluation notes that Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association significantly exceeded its CRA strategic plan goals for excellent community development services and that its community development lending had a significantly positive impact in part because it was responsive to community development needs.

Events, Media & Communications

Corporate Sustainability -- Advice For Fortune Readers -- It’s Not a “Choice”

Oct 26, 2015 11:00 AM ET

Environment

MJUMITA Community Forest Project Validated and Verified by SCS Under the Climate Community and Biodiversity Standards and the Verified Carbon Standard

Oct 26, 2015 10:45 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Meet Elinore Robey and Amanda Lenaghan, 2015 VolunteerMatch Summit Speakers

Oct 26, 2015 10:30 AM ET

In December 2015, CSR professionals, employee engagement enthusiasts, VolunteerMatch clients, and national nonprofits will come together at the 2015 VolunteerMatch Summit (#VMSummit15). In this series of blog posts, I’ll introduce you to the numerous experts who will make an appearance as Summit speakers.

Events, Media & Communications

Ingersoll Rand Energy Leader to Speak to New Climate Change Research Findings at VERGE 2015

Oct 26, 2015 10:05 AM ET

Owen Smith, director, energy policy and strategy, Center for Energy Efficiency & Sustainability (CEES) at Ingersoll Rand, a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, will join other thought leaders to share corporate perspectives on combating climate change at VERGE 2015 in San Jose, California. The conference runs Oct. 26-29, with Smith’s panel taking place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. PDT on Oct. 27.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Beau Rivage Employees Pledge $159,260 to Help Nonprofit Organizations and Programs Serving South Mississippi

Oct 26, 2015 10:00 AM ET

“Beau Rivage employees are extremely caring and compassionate,” said Beau Rivage General Manager Marcus Glover, “They work hard 24/7 and to see them donate their hard-earned dollars to those less fortunate is incredibly inspiring; there are truly exceptional people with enormous heart at this property.”

Research, Reports & Publications

New Deloitte University Press Report Shows How the Power of Partnership Can Help Stop Modern Slavery

Oct 26, 2015 9:15 AM ET

Today, Deloitte University Press issued “The Freedom Ecosystem – How the Power of Partnership Can Help Stop Modern Day Slavery.” The report, a collaborative effort between Deloitte and Free the Slaves, describes how the Freedom Ecosystem can use collective action to remove conditions that allow slavery to exist. The ecosystem is a cross-section of organizations from the private sector, civil society, government, funding community, and the broader public.

Events, Media & Communications

FOX Sports Sponsors Women's Sports Foundation's Annual Gala Celebrating Female Athletes

Oct 26, 2015 8:00 AM ET

On Tuesday, October 20, FOX Sports was a co-presenting sponsor of the 36th Annual Salute to Women in Sports, an awards gala for the Women's Sports Foundation, which is dedicated to ensuring that girls across the US have access to sports. The event celebrated the achievements of female athletes over the past year and raised money for the foundation's grant programs supporting young athletes.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Rural British Columbia Business Experiences Growth Spurt

Oct 23, 2015 5:50 PM ET

Founded in 1994 with only three employees, Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish Inc. has evolved into one of the largest employers in Port Hardy. Over the last two decades, the seasonal seafood locker for sport fishers with a small smoker and one freezer has grown into a thriving commercial business that provides jobs for 65 full-time employees in a 50,000 square foot facility.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Donating: How Much is Enough to Make a Difference?

Oct 23, 2015 5:00 PM ET

According to the report, among the biggest obstacles to giving is affordability, and about 1 in 8 Americans surveyed said it’s because they “can’t give enough to make a difference.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Legg Mason Goes Pink and Purple in October

Oct 23, 2015 4:15 PM ET

Each year during the month of October, Legg Mason employees spread awareness by participating in two global initiatives – Wear it Pink and Spirit Day.

Innovation & Technology

Booz Allen Sponsors Inaugural #SASEhack, Challenges Students to use Internet of Things to Improve Healthcare for Senior Citizens

Oct 23, 2015 4:05 PM ET

Booz Allen Hamilton―in collaboration with Intel—sponsored SASEhack, the first-ever hackathon of the National Conference of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE).

Environment

#FactFriday: Returning Precious Water Back to a Community

Oct 23, 2015 3:05 PM ET

Environment

Inside the General Mills Roadmap to a Sustainable Food Future

Oct 23, 2015 3:00 PM ET

General Mills recently announced a commitment to cut its emissions by 28% in the next 10 years. Other companies can, and should, do the same.

Education

Last Call for Teachers to Enter the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest

Oct 23, 2015 2:50 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Get Safe Online Week Kicks off in the UK – Don’t be a Target!

Oct 23, 2015 2:00 PM ET

Online crime is always personal. Cyber criminals are experts at using the data people innocently provide online to defraud or steal their identities. Educating the public on Internet security is essential for increasing safe and confident online use.

Social Impact & Volunteering

More than 4,200 Kids at Six Boys & Girls Clubs in King County Now Have Access to New and Enhanced Health Programs

Oct 23, 2015 1:00 PM ET

More than 4,200 kids at six Boys & Girls Clubs in King County (BGCKC) will now have access to new and enhanced health and fitness programs.

Energy

Aquarium of the Pacific Shines a Light on Energy Savings

Oct 23, 2015 1:00 PM ET

The sea otters at the Aquarium of the Pacific are always a big draw, delighting visitors with their antics in the water.

What visitors don’t realize is the otter exhibit is also a showcase for energy efficiency.

Environment

2 CRA Webinars: Creating a Winning First Time Sustainability/CSR Report

Oct 23, 2015 12:45 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Top U.S. Companies Bring Nationwide Hiring Effort to Phoenix, Connecting Thousands of Young Job Seekers to Economic Opportunity

Oct 23, 2015 12:45 PM ET

Following an unprecedented day of impact at the nation’s first Opportunity Fair & Forum in Chicago on Aug. 13, the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative today announced that it will bring its next Opportunity Fair to Phoenix on Oct. 30 as it continues to accelerate its nationwide effort to hire America’s opportunity youth – 16-24 year olds who are not in school or employed, an estimated 5.6 million people in the U.S. The coalition, now composed of 33 leading U.S. companies including new members Papa John’s, Republic Services, TOMS and VILLA expects to hire hundreds of young people in Phoenix next month, building on the hiring effort it launched in Chicago earlier this summer with over 4,000 young Chicagoans, 800 of whom have already received job offers.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volunteers Help Monitor Recovery of Catalina Island Reef

Oct 23, 2015 12:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Time Warner Cable Helps Kansas City Nonprofit Launch Radio Station

Oct 23, 2015 11:00 AM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

VEDC and JPMorgan Chase Announce Loan Fund for African American-Owned Small Businesses

Oct 23, 2015 10:30 AM ET

VEDC and JPMorgan Chase & Co. today announced a new lending program for African American-owned small businesses in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The National African American Small Business Loan Fund will boost economic opportunity for minority-owned businesses in these cities and help them serve low-income communities by providing them with greater access to capital, technical assistance and financial consulting.

Diversity & Inclusion

Bloomberg Joins Forces Vs Cancer During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Oct 23, 2015 10:20 AM ET

Throughout the month of October, Bloomberg employees mobilized to support Breast Cancer Awareness.